Reliability of the impregnated boron compounds, citric acid-and heat-treated samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) wood against the fungal and termite attacks

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the durability of Samama (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) wood treated with boron preservatives, citric acid (CA), and heating against termites. Wood samples were impregnated firstly with 5% boron solutions, such as boric acid, borax and boric acid + borax combination at 1:1 (w/w). The second impregnation used 5% CA. The impregnations were conducted in a pressure tank at 7 kg/cm2 for 4 hours. After impregnation, the samples were heat treated at 80℃ or 160℃. All the treated and control samples were exposed to decay fungi, drywood termites and subterranean termites based on SNI 7207:2014 standard. The results showed that boron preservatives reduced fungal attacks on Samama wood. The combination treatment of boric acid, CA and heat treatment at 160℃ was also effective to increase the resistance of Samama wood against white-and brown rot fungi, and drywood termites. Heat treatment consistently improved the resistance of Samama wood from decay fungi.